STIPENDIARY STEWARDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 966, 8 May 1930, Page 12

STIPENDIARY STEWARDS

IN AUSTRALIA AND N.Z. A MARKED DIFFERENCE A correspondent of a Southern newspaper has asked for the precise conditions under which the stipendiary stewards work in Australia, compared with those in New Zealand. The Rules of Racing in the Commonwealth and in New Zealand relative to this are too lengthy to be reproduced here. In Australia the rule is introduced, “the stipendiary stewards shall have full power and authority to make, alter, or vary all arrangements for the conduct of a race meeting and, in furtherance of and not in limitation of all general powers conferred or implied bv these rules, it is hfereby declared that they shall also have power. . . .” Then follows a comprehensive list which includes (1) complete inspection of all books and documents, (2) free entry to all racecourse buildings and enclosures, (3) to regulate and control, inquire into, take cognisance of, and adjudicate upon the conduct of all officials, jockeys, trainers, etc.; (4) to punish by fine, suspension or disqualification any person found by them in any way to have contravened the rules on or off tlie course; (5) to adjudicate on objections; (6) to remove any official and appoint a deputy; and (7) to disqualify for inconsistent running. The decisions of the stipendiary stewards are reported to the committee of the principal club to which body fined, suspended or disqualified individuals have right of appeal. The New Zealand Rules in comparison are futile. The stipendiary stewards according to the regulations, inter alia, shall investigate breaches and report to the honorary stewards or committee, and they also may recommend what penalty should be imposed. Stipendiary stewards shall give evidence if required and are entitled to call and examine witnesses, but they are not entitled to vote upon any investigation. These, in effect, are the limits imposed on stipendiary stewards under the Dominion scheme. The “in furtherance of, and not in limitation of all general powers” part of the Australian Rule 7 makes a rather decided comparison.